Transporting Bike

[jsanchez]

Howdy all,

Wanted to get some advice on transporting my sportbike to and from the track.  I've been renting a pickup truck but getting the bike on and off can be a real pain since the rental pickups usually have large tires and the angle is pretty steep.

I would like to do a van rental but there is no place to tie the bike down.  It has been recommended to me to get a chock that I can put in the rental van so I don't have to tie it down.  Any second or better opinions?  

Trailers are not an option.  Thanks.

-Jav

[Protein Filled]

U-haul or Penske trucks...they have long ramps, just ride the bike up!

[jsanchez]

Yes, but I still need to secure the bike inside the truck.  Also I have a corporate account w/ Enterprise which helps a bit and is probably cheaper than the other options.

So given a van or truck solution, my question is primarily on securing the bike with a wheel chock.

Thanks in advance.

[jsanchez]

To further clarify, I'm looking at these:
http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Chocks.html

The LA Chock seems to have the wides base at 29" which should hold it pretty steady in the van.

Anyone with any experience, please chime in.  Thanks.

[Protein Filled]

I don't think the baxley chock's would be stable enough. I have seen them at the track and they use them to park the bikes once you pull off the track so you don't have to use a stand. If you look at their trailer chock, you still need to mount it to the vehicle, which would not be good in your situation. Every van/trailer system that I have seen needs some form of mount.

I have a similar issue with my pickup and bikes. I own a Dodge RAM and I use it a lot to haul my ice bikes when we go riding around town. It is a bit of a pain to get the bike up in the bed, specially when there is a lot of snow on the ground. One of the things I am going to try in the near future is to buy a cheap electric winch and see how much that helps. You could hook up a soft tie between the forks and use the winch to help you load it. One other thing I do when loading the bikes is I put a stool right next to the ramp, so I can use it to step up to the bed easier while still holding on to the motorcycle.

[cb186]

a winch to load up your dirt bikes Edgar?  ???

i just use 2 ramps, one for the bike and one for me to walk up. also the longer the ramp the better.

as far as renting a Penske truck or such. one of the Baxtley chocks, not attached to the floor, and a couple straps should be just fine. i think most cargo trucks come with cargo anchor strips in them along the walls. if they are too hi to use properly, make a couple brackets that attach to them and run to the floor and anchor your straps there.

[cb186]

just buy some ramp brackets like this, and attach 8' 2x10's. i put a strip of 6" grip tape down the center for traction. i have had mine for 2 years, and even unloaded my 4 wheeler down them(but only once)

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=513095&store=Main&productId=p513095&catId=1&leafCatId=11905

[dylanfan53]

To further clarify, I'm looking at these:
http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Chocks.html

The LA Chock seems to have the wides base at 29" which should hold it pretty steady in the van.

Anyone with any experience, please chime in.  Thanks.

I have a Baxley chock in my trailer.

With one bolt it attaches securely to the floor and it's not going anywhere.  I used one of those neat threaded insert w/ eyebolt that you can get at any trailer store with a regular bolt instead of the eyebolt.  With this I can easily take it off the trailer if I want, which I rarely do.

The point is, when bolted to the floor all that is needed are two tie downs from the frame under the seat to the floor on the side of the bike.  It's stable as a rock, even over the bumpiest roads and takes about 15 seconds to ride the bike into the trailer and tie it down.  IMO, it just doesn't get any easier, especially when you're beat from chasing these guys all day. Also, you're not screwing up the suspension and bending bars by mashing the front end down with one of those canyon dancer bar straps.

I balked at the price and went a few seasons before I bought it.  When I got a second bike it was the first accessory I bought.

One caveat though.  It's great for trailering but won't replace wheel stands if you use tire warmers.

I'm not sponsored by them or anything, just like the product.

HTH.

[jsanchez]

I have a Baxley chock in my trailer.

The point is, when bolted to the floor all that is needed are two tie downs from the frame under the seat to the floor on the side of the bike.  
HTH.

Which one are you using?  Sport Chock, LA Chock.... Also, I'm not sure I understand where you are tying them down unless you keep your plastics off.
-Jav

[dylanfan53]

Sport Chock.  I have D-rings on the floor of my trailer in front, center and back.  I only need the center ones.

I've used it with an SV, GSXR and R6 and haven't had a problem with bodywork.  I hook the bike where the subframe meets the frame, above the rearsets and behind the bodywork and there's no interference.  That makes it stable side to side and the bike would have to back out of the cradle a foot or so to get loose from behind.  

I used to use a bar strap (canyon dancer) and cinch the front end down to the rings in front.  Then I'd wrap a strap around the back wheel and hook it to the rear D-rings on either side to keep it from sliding sideways.  I even wrapped one around the post in front so the wheel couldn't back out.  (Can you tell I'm the skeptical type?)  Although there were a lot more straps it was rougher on the forks and less stable than simply strapping it to the sides.

I went back and re read your post.  Please note that I bolt the sport chock to the floor of my trailer so it might not work if you're in a rental van.  If the chock weren't bolted down with at least one bolt, it might slide around even with the straps.  

[stephenr928]

Jav,
I think I've got the Sport Chock (the cheaper Baxley chock).  I've used it in the back of my Fun Mover rv when I'm hauling 3 bikes.  I still used the Canyon Dancer straps & a strap around the rear tire to help with stability & sliding issues.  Although my chock was not bolted to the floor, I did have it wedged in using the floor track cargo widgets (to again, prevent sliding).
Good luck,